In a world filled with a plethora of artificial love, it's quite simple to wrap ourselves up in temporary love. The world that we all live in, whether we believe it or not, is depraved. What does that mean? This means that all people are affected by this cancerous condition called sin. And because of it, hate has become a characteristic that is available to anyone, anywhere. It is easy to see in today's society. From the usual 5 p.m. road rage to the ongoing struggles in Syria, everywhere in our world hate is evident. So with all of the temporary and artificial love and the absence of its authentic power, where can one find genuine, unconditional love?
I believe that true love is when a friend lays down his life for another. I encourage you to selah or, think about this for a bit. Although simple, an act like this is the most powerful act of love that anyone can give. When a person gives his life for someone, that person is basically saying, "I love you, and I don't expect anything back." without saying a single word. Although rare, selfless acts like these are most notably seen in war, and even sometimes in our everyday lives. The greatest selfless act of all of time, though, was the doing of Jesus Christ. He was a man who walked this earth in absolute humility, bearing the wrongs of all others to the point of his death. Even as he was brutally murdered, he prayed for those who accused him! How's that for selfless love? This same impenetrable love has affected history for centuries and is still moving through our land today. Jesus Christ has willingly given his love to all who would receive it. His love transcends all racial barriers, all hatred, and all sin. Best of all, the love of Christ never has and never will change.
So on this coming Valentine's day, let us look to the same love that remains constant and never just leaves us in despair. Let us open ourselves up to receive the love of Christ before we receive love from anyone else.
Romans 5:8 - "But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
